The Academy beat Town by two wickets last weekend to establish themselves as firm favourites for the title. The city side have also been overtaken by reigning champions Finedon and have the toughest run-in of the top three starting with a trip to fifth placed Old Northamptonians tomorrow.

But Town skipper Ajaz Akhtar has set his sights on maximum points from the final four matches, while hoping that the top two slip up sometime in the next month.

Akhtar said: "We've come too far and played too much good cricket for us to give up now.

"Obviously last weekend was a very disappointing result for us, but we came very close to beating the top team even though we didn't bat half as well as we can and we were on the wrong end of a couple of crucial decisions.

"It will take a huge effort to win the title now, but we will aim for four big wins and see what happens. There is a lot of pressure at this stage of the season and hopefully it might get to the young lads in the Academy side.

"Finedon and the Academy do play each other on the last day of the season so we need to be within striking distance by then and hope they draw with each other!

"Our remaining games are tough, but there is no reason why we shouldn't win them all."

Town are 47 points behind the Academy (there is a maximum 30 points available for a win) and 10 behind Finedon. The Academy are unlikely to slip up tomorrow as they host bottom club Stony Stratford.

Nassington's Cambs Division One winning side complete their campaign at Ramsey tomorrow, while there is a fen derby at Harecroft Road between Wisbech and March. A win would probably clinch second spot for Wisbech.

In Division Two Yaxley are a point ahead of Khalsa in the race for the third and final promotion slot. Tomorrow Yaxley host draw specialists Fordham, while Khalsa entertain a Castor side still in danger of relegation.

Bourne and Market Deeping have the two toughest possible assignments in the Lincs Premier Division. Bourne host champions-elect Bracebridge Heath while Deeping entertain second-placed Woodhall Spa.

Oundle should maintain their title challenge in Rutland Division One by winning at Buckminster on Sunday. Oundle will be hoping Peterborough Town do them a favour by beating Rushton at Bretton Gate.



LINCS will play Berkshire at Falkland near Newbury in the Minor Counties Championshop Final, starting on Sunday, September 7.

Lincs qualified as champions of the Eastern Division.